In a significant development within Belgium’s urban logistics sector, two pioneering bicycle courier companies, De Fietskoerier and Cargo Velo, have merged to form the nation’s largest bicycle courier service. This strategic consolidation aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of urban deliveries across major Belgian cities.
Formation of Belgium’s Largest Bicycle Courier Service
The merger between De Fietskoerier and Cargo Velo has resulted in a unified entity that boasts a fleet of approximately 50 part-time couriers operating across Antwerp, Brussels, and Ghent. Collectively, they anticipate generating revenues exceeding €1 million annually and covering over 250,000 kilometers each year. This consolidation positions the new company as a formidable player in the Belgian logistics landscape, emphasizing sustainable urban delivery solutions.
Shared Vision for Sustainable Urban Logistics
Both De Fietskoerier and Cargo Velo have long championed eco-friendly urban logistics, striving to make deliveries greener, fairer, and more efficient. Research from the Belgian Cycle Logistics Federation indicates that bicycle couriers are, on average, 30% faster than delivery vans. Additionally, bicycles occupy less space, avoid traffic congestion, and contribute to reduced urban pollution, offering a smart and emission-free solution for city deliveries.
Commitment to Fair Employment Practices
Beyond environmental considerations, the merged company is dedicated to fair employment practices. CEO Willem-Frederik Schiltz of Cargo Velo and Managing Director Sim Coddé of De Fietskoerier emphasize that well-compensated couriers are better equipped to provide high-quality service. They believe that fair work and quality service are inseparable, and that quality service cannot be provided for free.
Complementary Strengths and Market Expansion
De Fietskoerier, established 27 years ago, specialized in express deliveries, particularly for medical, fragile, and valuable items, with a strong presence in Antwerp. Cargo Velo, founded 14 years ago in Ghent, expanded to Brussels in 2019 and Antwerp in 2018, focusing on scalable urban distribution and efficient city deliveries. The merger combines these complementary strengths, enabling the new entity to offer a comprehensive range of services across a broader geographic area.
Strategic Timing Amidst Urban Congestion
The timing of this merger is particularly strategic, coinciding with increasing traffic congestion in major Belgian cities. In 2024, bicycle logistics in Belgium experienced a 70% growth, as companies seek delivery partners familiar with urban environments and committed to enhancing urban livability. The merger allows the company to scale operations, ensuring continued high customer satisfaction while adhering to core values.
Operational Integration and Future Outlook
Following the merger, all couriers from De Fietskoerier will integrate into Cargo Velo. Sim Coddé and Stijn Van Hofstraeten will become co-shareholders of Cargo Velo, with Van Hofstraeten continuing as a courier in Antwerp and Coddé overseeing the integration process. The company aims to demonstrate its enhanced capabilities and readiness to serve a growing customer base, proving daily that urban logistics can be faster, cleaner, fairer, and smarter.
This merger marks a significant milestone in Belgium’s logistics sector, setting a precedent for sustainable and efficient urban delivery solutions.